“Go, and from now on sin no more.” John 8:11
The Pharisees were convinced that you cannot be for justice and for mercy at the same time. But justice and mercy meet at the cross. Justice was served when the full penalty of the law was poured out on Jesus. Mercy was given when the blood of Jesus was shed for us. His blood covers all our sins. Justice fell on Jesus so that mercy could be released to us.
Then Jesus says one more crucial thing here that we must not miss. “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (8:11). When Jesus removes our condemnation, He calls us to a new and different life. Grace is not a reason to remain in sin, it is a reason to forsake it. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isa. 55:7).
Jesus is not saying that from now on this woman will live a sinless life, but He does call her to make a clean break from the sin for which she has been forgiven. Repentance means making a clean break with sins Christ has forgiven.
The order here is important. Jesus does not say, “If you go and sin no more, I will not condemn you.” Rather, He says, “I do not condemn you, now go and sin no more.” When you become aware of your own sins, you may find yourself thinking, “If I can live a good enough life to make up for what I have done in the past, perhaps God will forgive me.”
But what Jesus says to the woman is better by far! “I do not condemn you, now go and sin no more.” Grace comes first and obedience follows. God forgives you freely in Christ so that, released from condemnation, you can live a new and different life.
What are some sins you’re struggling to make a clean break from? Are you trying to start with grace or obedience?
